Bush meets with Livni in a surprise visit at the White House

US President George W. Bush met Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni at the White House in a surprise visit on Wednesday, joining the meeting between Livni and National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley.

The two spoke on three issues: The situation in Lebanon, the chance of renewing talks with the Palestinians, and how to deal with the Iranian threat. According to Israeli participants, the meeting went very well. Others present in the meeting were Director-General Aaron Abramovitch and Israeli Ambassador in Washington, D.C. Danny Ayalon.

Livni met last night with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff. On Thursday she is expected to meet with Vice President Dick Cheney.

Livni has said that the war in Lebanon has proved to the world that the Iranian threat is a reality. She also said that Israel will not negotiate with the new unity government in the Palestinian Authority on the three conditions laid down by the Quartet: renounce violence, recognize Israel and abide by past Israeli-Palestinian accords.

“We will not negotiate on our right to exist,” she said.

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